Organizational Setting

The FAO Representation in Bangladesh is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning, and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in Bangladesh and, in collaboration with Regional Office Asia and Pacific and the departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to the country priorities. The representation also supports the regional office in the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the country, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The office also develops and maintains relations with Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies, the resource partners and other development institution at the country level.

Reporting Lines

The Project Field Coordination Specialist (Field) is a SC8 and under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (programme), liaison with the International Social Protection Specialist and close collaboration with DFAOR and MEAL unit, the incumbent will liaison with the Field Facilitators and Government counterparts to implement the project activities. The duties and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following.

Tasks and responsibilities

The specialist will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Stakeholder Engagement:
-    Support emergency focal person for collaboration with the government ministries, departments namely DAE, DLS, DoF, DDM, BMD, FFWC, BWDB, BMDA etc and other relevant local government stakeholders to establish strong working relationships.
-    Assist emergency focal person for coordination in meetings with liaise with local administration and relevant government, government agencies, NGOs, and community representatives to facilitate information sharing and project alignment.

Project Coordination:
-    Serve as the primary point of contact for all project-related activities in the assigned districts.
-    Develop a comprehensive district-level implementation plan in alignment with the project's overall objectives.
-    Ensure the timely and efficient execution of project activities within the district.
-    Assist emergency focal person to supervise upazila level field facilitators.
-    Address challenges arise at the field during implementation and troubleshooting issues involving stakeholders, vendors etc.

Beneficiary Identification and Verification:
-    Assist emergency focal person to identify and verify disaster-affected vulnerable stakeholders, farmer households eligible for project assistance.
-    Maintain accurate beneficiary list and ensure that selection criteria are followed in a transparent and accountable manner.

Distribution of Agricultural Inputs:
-    Coordinate the distribution of agricultural inputs to eligible beneficiaries, ensuring adherence to FAO's standard guidelines and best practices.
-    Oversee the logistics and tracking of input distribution, ensuring fair and equitable allocation.
-    Ensuring timely distribution of seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs among the selected beneficiaries.
-    Coordinate among vendors, field facilitators, NGOs and procurement unit for timely and smooth delivery of goods and services.

Monitoring and Reporting:
-    Regularly monitor project activities, track progress, and report on achievements, challenges, and lessons learned to the FAO project management team.
-    Provide timely and accurate beneficiary list and reports as required.
-    Support emergency focal person to facilitate field visits by high officials and MEAL team as and when required

Capacity Building:
-    Conduct training need assessment of the project stakeholders, including farmers, and facilitate capacity-building sessions in collaboration with relevant agencies.

• Any other task assigned by the FAOR/DFAOR/ AFAOR when necessary.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

-    University degree in Agriculture, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture or related discipline. 
-    At least six years of professional experiences at the government ministries or departments in the field administration or agricultural extension agencies 
-    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Bangla.
-    National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

-    Results Focus
-    Teamwork
-    Communication
-    Building Effective Relationships
-    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Very strong experience of field project implementation and coordination with Govt. counterparts.
•    Ability to communicate clearly and to share knowledge and information;
•    Ability to work effectively under pressure;
•    Capacity to build effective relationships and partnerships with team members and service providers;
•    Ability to take initiative and accomplish tasks in due time;
•    Ability to be flexible in changing circumstances and to adapt the work approach in response to changes
•    Extent and relevance of experience in management of computer programs such as Excel, Word, Power Point and statistical software.
•    The candidate must demonstrate high communication skills both verbal and written, negotiation, vision, strategy, coordination and teamwork.
•    Strong analytical, critical thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills, as well as gender-sensitive and cross-cultural
•    Competency and Knowledge and experience in HR
•    Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate and influence across different levels and diverse teams in and out of the
•    Organization.